Pictures from Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr.

Our winter production this year was Disney's The Little Mermaid Jr. It's an abbreviated version of the animated movie. Roughly 120 kids plus stage and tech crew, plus a dedicated and talented core of parent supporters. The parents who did the costumes, props, and set were amazing. I can't believe the quality of their work.

Prince Eric's ship in the opening number, "Fathoms' Below." The ship rolled out, propelled by the sailors.

Eric and Grimsby, his valet/guardian argue about the need for him to find a wife.

King Triton and his announcer, the seahorse. We had some beard issues that night :)

Some of the underwater creatures

Sebastian making his big entrance.

Ariel's sisters in concert.

Ariel's cue--but she doesn't come.

Ariel and Flounder sneaked up to the surface of the ocean.

Scuttle, the seagull.

Scuttle's seagull friends singing, "Human Stuff."

Ursula, Flotsam, and Jetsam plot to lure Ariel to Ursula's lair.

Ariel and Flounder in her grotto, where she keeps her secret trove of human stuff she's found.

Ariel singing "Part of Your World" while the eels watch. I was really proud of the way she acted this song as well as sang it.

"Out of the sea...wish I could be...part of your world."

Sebastian and the ensemble try to convince Ariel life is far better "Under the Sea."

And now for serious cuteness, we add about 40 1st and 2nd graders.

Ariel and her friends watch Prince Eric.

Ariel reprises "Part of Your World."

"...watch and you'll see, someday I'll be, part of your world."

Spotlight on Ariel, then slow fade to black as Act 1 ends.

Ariel's sister gossip about the way she's acting lately.

"She's in Love."

Big finish for "She's in Love."

King Triton finds out about Ariel's journeys to the surface and her hidden trove of human stuff and destroys the grotto. While not perfect, this slideshow sort of gives the idea. 

Upset, Ariel sends Flounder and Sebastian away, which leaves her easy prey for...

Flotsam and Jetsam tell Ariel that Ursula can help her.

Ursula welcomes Ariel.

Ursula sings about the "Poor Unfortunate Souls" she has "helped" over the years.

Ursula explains her terms. She'll turn Ariel into a human for three days. If the prince kisses her, she stays a human. If not, she becomes Ursula's slave forever. But she has to give her voice to Ursula.

Ariel agrees and sings her voice over to Ursula.

   

Ursula captures Ariel's voice and turns her into a human.

On the beach, Ariel shows her friends her new, human legs

The prince runs into Ariel on the seashore

The sadistic chef relishes chopping and serving little fish in "Les Poissons."

Sebastian watches in horror as the chef cooks up the fish.

Prince and Ariel at dinner.

Ariel and Eric float along in the lagoon while her friends sing, "Kiss the Girl."

More "Kiss the Girl." Some of the local flamingos, fish, butterflies, bees, and flowers join in.

The prince doesn't kiss Ariel in time, so she becomes Ursula's slave.

King Triton gives up his power to Ursula, exchanging his soul for Ariel's.

King Triton is banished, with the help of a CO2 fire extinguisher.

Ursula grows giant. Didn't get a great picture of this part, but check out the small, purple frisbees on her tentacles. Love those.

After beating Ursula, Ariel and her friends find the trident and restore it to King Triton.

Ariel returns the trident to her father and he uses his regained powers to make her human, just in time for...

...the finale! "Now they can walk, now they can run, now they can play all day in the sun..."

"Just you and me, and I can be, part of your world." Love that happy ending!

One of the challenges of the show was the immediate transitions between the underwater scenes and the ocean surface. My brilliant set guys figured out a really cool solution. It's not painted yet, but you get the idea of how it works.